- Eating a well-balanced diet during pregnancy is important for your health and your baby, and also allows for a healthy weight gain. This keeps the skin from stretching too quickly, which may help in preventing stretch marks. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables along with healthy fats such as flax seed oil, wheat germ and extra virgin olive oil, all of which create strong, healthy skin with good elasticity. Stay well hydrated for soft, supple skin not prone to drying out and take a good prenatal vitamin that includes vitamin A and E.
- While the most common area affected by stretch marks is the belly, they can also appear on the thighs, buttocks and breasts. Skin that is dry and not very elastic is more prone to stretch marks, so proper skin care is a must in helping to prevent them. Moisturize daily with lotions that contain vitamin E, cocoa butter, wheat germ oil or lanolin. When bathing use a body brush or washcloth over the belly, buttocks and breasts using circular motions, but do not rub too hard. This helps to increase the circulation in those areas that may prevent or reduce stretch marks from appearing. Prenatal massage can be another way to increase circulation in the body and is also a great way to reduce stress during pregnancy.
- Even if you do develop stretch marks during pregnancy, take heart that with time they will fade. During the postpartum period, you will begin to lose the pregnancy weight and stretch marks will fade into small silvery lines that are barely visible. Keep your skin soft and supple during this time with lotions and good nutrition, and in time you will wonder what you worried so much about.
